Round 1 – Referee Chris Tognini oversees this flyweight fight. Quick punches traded before Elliott takes the fight to the floor and latches on to a guillotine. Not there, and he lets go to reset. Papazian responds with several punches and a head kick that lands flush, but Elliott pushes through and takes the action to the floor. Fast pace to start. Elliott trying to advance to mount. Papazian recovers guard and tries to set up a triangle. Elliott slips out and resets. Elliott snatches a guillotine and rolls over as he looks to finish. He has the neck, and he tries hard to secure guard but can’t quite get it. Papazian breaks free and pushes forward. As he does, Papazian lands a knee to the face just as Elliott was settling back on his rear end. Tognoni calls time, and the doctors come in to take a look. Elliott staggers as he stands. He doesn’t look good, but the fight carries on. Tognoni didn’t clearly deduct a point, so tough to tell if he was penalized. Not sure fight should continue, but it does. On the restart, Elliott launches forward and drops Papazian. Incredible turn of events there. Elliott in top position. He’s grinding away from the top with punches and elbows. Papazian scrambles up. Firefight on the feet in the final minute of a crazy first round. They clinch briefly before scrambling at the end. MMAjunkie.com scores the first for Elliott, 10-9. It’s a 10-8 if there was a deduction.

(Note: Following the conclusion of the fight, scorecards reveal a point was indeed deducted.)

Round 2 – Both fighters moving well to start as they fire punches from distance. Elliott moves inside and scores a slick trip takedown. He’s in side control and looking to fire elbows. Papazian’s nose bloodied, but he spins to his knees. Elliott breaks free and they reset on the feet. Elliott takes a deep breath and then shoots in again and takes the fight to the floor on a single leg. Papazian is right back to his feet. Halfway mark, and pace finally settling in. Leaping knee scores for Papazian. Lead uppercut follows. Elliott has his mouth open and is slowing down. High kick scores for Papazian. Round close into the final 90 seconds. Papazian picking up his striking output and landing. Elliott tries to shoot in to change the momentum, but Papazian shucks him off. Elliott answers with a front kick and a straight. He looks to be fading a bit. Strikes exchanged in the closing seconds, and Elliott scores another takedown and lands a few punches. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com leans slightly toward Elliott, 10-9.

Round 3 – Could be even heading into the third, so both fighters need to go. They scramble in a takedown attempt and Elloiott looks to twist an ankle. With their bodies facing opposite ways, it’s a stalemate, and Tognoni stands them up. Both come out energized on the restart. Front kick fro Elliott and a straight to the head and Papazian drops. Elliott pounces and moves immediately to mount. Blood pouring from Papazian’s nose. Elliott punching away. Papazian rolls to his knees, and Tognoni is on top of the action. Papazian moving but taking a lot of damage. Halfway mark of final round. Elliott thinking choke. He punches and punches until it opens up. Left hand goes under, but Papazian circles in and pops free. Papazian showing heart but getting handled on the floor. Elliot looks for the choke again in a bloody battle. Hooks are firm, and the arm is sliding under the neck. Elliott lets it go in favor of holding mount. Papazian slips free anyway and back to his feet. Big firefight before Elliott drives it to the floor again. Papazian running out of time. Papazian bucks and rolls, but Elliott stays tight until the bell. MMAjunkie.com gives the final round to Elliott, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27. Tim Elliott def. Jared Papazian via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26).

JOHN COFER VS. MIKE RIO

Round 1 – Kim Winslow oversees this lightweight prelim. Cofer with an early kick to the body that sounded like it may have hit the cup. They fight on and exchange punches before Rio drives in for a takedown. Cofer defends well against the fence. Jockeying for position against the cage, and Rio backs away before kicking the leg on the restart. Two crisp lefts from southpaw Cofer wobbles Rio, who alertly shoots in to slow things down. No dice, and they reset again in the center with two minutes left. Rio holding the center. He drives in again for a takedown and gets the single leg to bring things down. Cofer spins for a leg. He doesn’t get it, but he uses it as a sweep and sets up in his opponent’s guard. Few elbows come in, but Ro tries to answer from underneath. Still, Cofer rides out the round on top and avoids a leglock, and MMAjunkie.com awards him the round 10-9.

Round 2 – Rio controls the center to start and lands a crisp jab in the early going before bringing the fight to the floor and setting up inside control. Cofer scrambles underneath, and Rio stands. He controls the leg as he tries to push back in, but he’s slow to act, and Winslow steps in for a restart. Cofer scores again wit straight lefts. Rio pushes in to return fire before backing away. Rio returns to the jab, which is his best weapon so far in the fight. He drives in again and pushes the fight to the cage. Cofer looks comfortable against the fence and turns off. Rio immediately in on a single-leg attempt, and they hit the floor. Rio transitions to the back and Cofer’s stand with his opponent attached. Rio tries to come over the top and is too high, so he slides off and hits the floor. Cofer with 45 seconds to try and steal the round. Rio alertly ties him up before scrambling to the feet. They trade punches to close, and MMajunkie.com gives the round to Rio, 10-9.

Round 3 – Cofer with an early jab and another straight. Rio walks into a kick and misses on the chance to catch it for a takedown. He quickly pushes back into a single-leg attempt and brings Cofer to the floor. Half-guard underneath for Cofer quickly becomes guard, but Rio passes out to side control. Rio looking to isolate the arm. Cofer rolls to try and prevent a submission attempt. Rio has the keylock briefly, but Cofer pulls it free. Cofer rolls to escape, and Rio alertly spins into an armbar. Nice work. Legs are in place, but Cofer defending well, and Rio has to let it go. That gives Cofer top position with less than two minutes left. Cofer needs to go, and his corner is yelling for it. Instead, it’s Rio who moves into another nasty looking armbar attempt. This time, Cofer is trapped, and he has no choice but to tap. Mike Rio def. John Cofer via submission (armbar) – Round 3, 4:11.

REUBEN DURAN VS. HUGO VIANA

Round 1 – Referee Steve Mazzagatti in the cage for this bantamweight fight, the night’s final Facebook bout. Traditional stances as both bob and look for an opening. Duran misses with a front kick, and Viana punches quickly over the top. Duran pawing from distance, but Viana unleashes a leaping punch that drops his opponent. He pounces, but Duran pops up. Big right hand lands again. Left scores, too. Duran with heart, and he waves Viana in for more. The Brazilian does push in, but a clinch slows things down early. Big bombs from Viana to start. He finally pulls away to reset. Duran clipped with another right. Duran circles against the cage, but he is a step behind and not measuring the distance well. Viana might have let him off the hook, and he’s slowing down a bit – until another right hand drops Duran. Wow. Duran climbs right back up, fighting through hammerfists to get there. One minute left, and Viana finally seals the deal with another crushing right. Punishing work from Viana. Hugo Viana def. Reuben Duran via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:05.

NICK CATONE VS. ANTHONY WALDBURGER

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean in the cage. They clinch quickly, and Waldburger spins and pushes Catone to the cage. Catone spins off and lands a knee as they break. Waldburger dives for a leg but comes up short. Catone controls the head and drops to his knees. Waldburger scrambles up and scores a trip, but Catone keeps the head wrapped and is able to work back to his feet. Stalemate in the clinch as Waldburger pushes against the cage two minutes in. Catone tries for a lateral drop. It’s not perfect, but Waldburger’s counter seems him falls to his back. Catone can’t capitalize before they stand again. Catone tries for a single-leg. Waldburger counters by looking for a kimura. It’s creative, but he’s against the cage with little room to work. Waldburger keeps wrist control, but eventually relents. Catone lands one big punch before Waldburger scrambles out. Slick work, but Catone gets to his back. Fight finishes on the ground, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to Catone, 10-9.

Round 2 – Catone with an early high kick. He rushes in, and Waldburger counters and lands a crisp right hand that topples his foe. Waldburger tries to capitalize with punches before shifting to a guillotine. Not there, but he lets it go and moves into a triangle. Catone calm, but he’s also trapped. Waldburger has the arm across, and he fire in short elbows. Dean looks close, and Catone is out. Impressive finish. T.J. Waldburger def. Nick Catone via technical submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:04.

RUSTAM KHABILOV VS. VINC PICHEL

Round 1 – Referee Chris Tognoni oversees this lightweight prelim. Khabilov takes the center and stands as Pichel circles outside. Khabilov punches into a takedown attempt. Pichel defends against the fence, but Khabilov pulls him away and drags him to the floor. Pichel scrambles up only to have Khabilov takes his back and land a beautiful suplex. Still, Pichel is game and gets back to his feet. Immediately, he goes for another ride. That’s Anthony Macias airtime. Pichel crawls up again and goes for a third ride. He looks out, as Khabilov pounces with a few punches to seal the result. Impressive UFC debut, Mr. Khabilov. Rustam Khabilov def. Vinc Pichel via knockout (suplex and punches) – Round 1, 2:15.

JOHNNY BEDFORD VS. MARCOS VINICIUS

Round 1 – Referee Kim Winslow in the cage. Bedford with an early low kicks and a series of punches over the top. Vinicius retreats and resets. He jumps in with a front kick, and Bedford elevates and slams him to the floor. Vinicius tries to grab a guillotine as he falls, but he can’t cinch it in, and Bedford pulls his head free. Vinicius busy underneath, and he latches the neck again. Still, he doesn’t ave it and has to let go. Bedford controlling from top, but Vinicius activity is preventing his opponent from doing any real damage. Not enough happening for either fighter, and they restart on the feet. Bedford rifles off punches again, but Vinicius is blocking well. A right hand does sneak through. Another digs the body before he follows up top. Vinicius walking forward, and he eats a big right hand that sends him to the deck. Bedford follows to finish the fight. Vinicius ties up well underneath and looks to gain his wits. Vinicius scrambles up to his knees and then to his feet, where Bedford has vicious knees. Round ends in the clinch, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to Bedford, 10-9.

Round 2 – Vinicius takes the center, but it’s Bedford that is more aggressive again with his hands. Vinicius answers with a front kick that grazes his opponent’s cup, and we have a break. On the restart, they agin exchange. A right hand drops Vinicius, and Bedford pounces. Bedford swarms, including a kick that hits the body. Fast assault, and the punches force the finish. Punishing work. Kick looked a little concerning to a downed opponent, but replays show it clearly hit the body. Johnny Bedford def. Marcos Vinicius via knockout (strikes) – Round 2, 1:00.

JAMES HEAD VS. MIKE PYLE

Round 1 – Referee Steve Mazzagatti in the cage for the night’s final prelim. Pyle circling left to open. Head jabs from distance. Pyle avoids and answers with a low kick. Head moves in, but they separate. Big left from head scores, and he follows with a few knees and punches. Pyle looks hurt but pulls away to reset. Head looks very strong in the opening minute. He lands another right hand and pushes into the clinch. Pyle answers with a big knee up the middle, and Head drops to the floor. That was flush. Pyle pounces with punches and secures the quick come-from-behind win. Nice work. Mike Pyle def. James Head via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1, 1:55.

JONATHAN BROOKINS VS. DUSTIN POIRIER

Round 1 – A touch of gloves gets us started. They trade punches and low kicks early. Poirier gets through a big left, but Brookins answers with a big right. He has Poirier’s back against the cage and unloads a barrage of punches. Poirier fires back and stalls the firefight with a clinch. He then wraps the hips and looks for the takedown, but Brookins pushes off, and we start again in the center. Brookins gets through two big rights, and they tie up again. Brookins throws again, and Poirier returns fire before they clinch again. They jockey for position while mixing in some body shots before restarting in the center. Brookins lands some jabs but eats a right hook. Brookins catches a kick and presses Poirier into the cage. Poirier lands a nice knee and a couple hooks before Brookins resets. Poirier gets through a couple uppercuts and a hook, and Brookins’ defense is becoming a problem. Poirier scores a flash knockdown, but Brookins is quickly back up. Poirier, though, unloads follow-up shots, stuffs a takedown and then locks on a D’arce choke that forces a quick tap-out from a frustrated Brookins. Dustin Poirier def. Jonathan Brookins via submission (D’arce choke) – Round 1, 4:15

MELVIN GUILLARD VS. JAMIE VARNER

(NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer informed MMAjunkie.com at 7:45 p.m. ET that Varner was vomiting in his dressing room and that this fight has been scratched from tonight’s card.)

PATRICK BARRY VS. SHANE DEL ROSARIO

Round 1 – Barry checks a bod kick and then lands a low kick. Del Rosario patiently circles before charging in and tying up Barry. They fight for position as they scramble against the cage. Del Rosario lands some knees to the body and then works for a single-leg takedown. Barry, though, is quickly back up after grabbing the cage for leverage (with no warning). They continue fighting for undercooks as Del Rosario mixes in some knees. Del Rosario dips again for a takedown but thinks better of it and delivers body punches. Del Rosario breaks off, and they restart in the center. Barry lands some stinging low kicks, but Del Rosario shoots again and puts him against the cage. He finally gets a drag-takedown and looks to take Barry’s back. He slaps on a rear-naked choke with no hooks, and Barry tries to slip out. Del Rosario gets a hook but has to give up the choke. Del Rosario tries to maintain the position and instead transitions to an arm. Barry escapes, but Del Rosario takes his back again and delivers punches to the head and back while trying to secure his hooks. Barry tries to shake him off his back, and Del Rosario’s now fighting against the clock. Barry ultimately escapes before the round ends, but it’s all Del Rosario, 10-9.

Round 2 – The fighters trade some lunging punches, but Barry stuns Del Rosario with a quick overhand left. He unloads with a few follow-up punches, including a jarring right hand, that send a dazed Del Rosario to the mat for good. And the ref waves it off. Pat Barry def. Shane Del Rosario via KO (punches) – Round 2, 0:26.

MIKE RICCI VS. COLTON SMITH – “TUF 16” TOURNAMENT FINAL

Round 1 – Referee Steve Mazzagatti in charge of this “TUF 16” final. Southpaw Ricci misses an early high kick, and Smith shoots a leg. Ricci pulls free and elbows the head, but Smith scrambles away before suffering too much damage. He pushes quickly back n and locks the body before elevating and taking his opponent to the floor. Ricci calmly climbs back to his feet, but Smith stays tight and gets on hook in against his opponent. Ricci tries to use the cage to peel him off. Eventually, he drops to his knees, and Smith gets both hooks in. Ricci rolls, and Smith stays on his back. Plenty of time remaining with more than two minutes left. Smith switching arms but can’t get it, and Ricci feels a little space to roll free. They touch gloves on the restart after a fun scramble. Ricci stays at distance and looks to strike. Smith dives in again on a takedown, but Ricci defends well. Less than a minute. Smith refusing to lose the bodylock, and he scores another takedown. Ricci climbs again to his knees as round ends, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to Smith, 10-9.

Round 2 – Ricci again opens with kicks. Smith answers, and it looks low, but Mazzagatti doesn’t see it. Smith rushes in to continue the assault, and Ricci seems to strike the throat. No call there either, so we fight on. Odd sequence, and Smith continues to push forward and scores another takedown. Smith works around to the back as Ricci tries to create space for himself. Smith trying to sink in his hooks. Hi tries for the rear-naked choke, but it’s not there, and he’s too high, and Ricci escapes to the feet. It doesn’t matter, as Smith again drops him to the floor. Smith’s wrestling is winning this fight handily with two minutes left in the round. He transitions again to the back. Hooks ares in as he looks for the choke. It’s on the chin, so he’s to let it go. Ricci trying to roll free, but Smith’s legs are tight to the body, and he’s not going anywhere. Time ticking away. Ricci tucks his chin as Smith tries once again for the choke. It’s not there, but he takes another round on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

Round 3 – Touch of gloves to open the third before kicks are traded again in the center. Smith immediately shoots in again for the takedown and not surprisingly is able to bring the fight to the floor. He’s immediately on the back again and looking for the choke. Ricci looks both tired and extremely frustrated, and he needs a finish. Meanwhile, Smith looks for an arm-triangle choke before slipping again to the back. Smith is in firm control on the back. Ricci is defending against the choke, but he’s offering nothing in terms of counters. Ricci rolls to his knees, and Smith is latched on to his back. It doesn’t appear he’ll be able to get a finish, but he’s left little doubt as to the winner of this fight. One minute left, and Ricci is going to need a miracle. He does spin in and get to top position. Smith turns to expose his back. Could this be the comeback of all comebacks? Ricci slides off looking for an armbar, but Smith pulls free and answers that question. Round ends, and it’s clearly Smith, 10-9, who takes the fight on the MMAjunkie.com card, 30-27. Colton Smith def. Mike Ricci via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) to become the “TUF 16” champion.

MATT MITRIONE VS. ROY NELSON

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean in the cage for the evening’s main event. Southpaw Mitrione opens with a jab. He looks light on his feet as he fires a straight and avoids the return. High kick blocked form Mitrione. Another to the chest, but Nelson comes back with heavy punches. Nelson shoots in for the body. He wraps Mitrione against the cage. Mitrione defends as Nelson looks for a trip. Mitrione spins off the cage and presses in with underhooks. He lands a short left as breaks away and resets. Nelson walking forward, and he eats a left. He answers with big right hands. Slugfest against the cage. Mitrione adding kicks to the equation. Halfway into the first. Nelson fires straight shots up the middle that connect to the temple and chin, and Mitrione is hurt and hits the floor. Nelson pounces with six massive follow-ups on the flor, and Dean steps in to call the fight. Roy Nelson def. Matt Mitrione via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:58.

Francis Ngannou further legitimized himself as a future UFC heavyweight contender on Saturday when he scored a first-round submission victory of Anthony Hamilton in the UFC Fight Night 102 co-main event. See how social media reacted.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Francis Ngannou came into his bout against Anthony Hamilton as the biggest favorite on the fight card, but it likely wasn’t due to his submission skills. Yet the knockout artist Ngannou managed to show some new tricks when he slapped a kimura lock (…)